Classical composer Ludovico Einaudi makes chart history

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Ludovico Einaudi has become the first classical pianist to reach the top 15 in the UK album charts.

The Italian composer's new album, Elements, debuted at number 12 this week – overtaking established acts such as Taylor Swift and Scouting For Girls..

Elements is the highest charting modern classical album since Henryk Gorecki’s Symphony of Sorrowful Songs peaked at number six in 1992. The album has also topped the classical charts in the UK this week.

Einaudi, who studied under the famous avant-garde composer Luciano Berio, said: “As a composer, it is a great thrill for me to have an album in the top 15 of the pop charts. I’m delighted that listeners have embraced the sound of Elements and hope they continue to enjoy my music.”

The composer, who is the grandson of former Italian Premier Luigi Einaudi, has provided music for numerous films and television shows including Shane Meadows’ This is England series, for which he earned a BAFTA nomination.

Most recently, he composed the music for the gripping BBC One drama Doctor Foster. Einaudi has enjoyed unprecedented mainstream success for a classical composer, selling over 1.8 million records. He is the world’s most streamed classical composer and his latest album has even enjoyed airplay on Radio 1.

Jamie Lawson topped the UK charts with his debut album this week. The singer-songwriter is the first act to be signed to Ed Sheeran’s new label Gingerbread Man Records. The self-titled album sold almost double its nearest rival, X by Ed Sheeran – the same man who signed Lawson.

Lawson said: “It was the dream just to sell enough records to make another one, so to have in straight in at Number 1 is just ridiculous. It’s mental. I’m really over the moon with it and very grateful, obviously, to Ed Sheeran for signing me and putting his faith in my songs and not having any doubt in them at all.”

Meanwhile in the singles chart, elusive DJ-producer KDA beat One Direction to number one with track Turn The Music Louder, which features vocals from Tinie Tempah and Katy B.